More Birding at Rondeau

BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER

Where are the birds? Nobody has seen a large fallout of passerines yet. The variety is there, but many are in very low numbers. We can only speculate that they are very late this year. I found this past week very slow for birds, and one had to work hard to see things.
I spent my time at Rondeau Park noting that the best area seemed to be in the north half of the park. Along Rondeau Road north of spicebush trail was the best. On the 13th among many warblers I found a Brewster's. While driving in on the 15th, I heard a Kentucky Warbler singing along the road. I did get a look at it. It was still there a couple of hours later. I got a glimpse of another Kentucky along Bennett Road.
I came across several Hooded Warblers during the week with their song revealing their presence. These beautiful warblers seem to be increasing in numbers the last few years. They are not all that rare in Ontario anymore.
Sedge Wrens are in good numbers this spring out marsh trail. On the 15th I counted at least eight singing their peculiar rattle.
A Whip-poor-will singing in the campground on the 15th was nice to hear as I tucked in for the night. Just before that, a Yellow-bellied Sapsucker was working a Red Cedar right beside my tent. They are uncommon by this late date.
The morning of the 15th revealed a large fallout of thrushes--mainly Swainson's. They littered the road and trails in the morning.
A couple of Acadian Flycatchers have shown up, albeit silent. Flycatchers have been slow to come in this year. Alders have not yet arrived.
On May 17, warbler activity was a little better. The old log pond near the pony barn was active if you were there at the right moment. We encountered several warblers including our first Yellow-breasted Chat. An Acadian Flycatcher was still there as well.
Behind the maintenance compound was rather active with warblers, including a female Cerulean. A Mourning and an Orange-crowned were there, but I did not seek them out.
While eating lunch, I observed a male Eastern Bluebird across from the visitor centre. They have been scarce this spring.
On the way home, I stopped at Ridgetown lagoons and noted over 50 Dunlin, 3 Semipalmated Plover, some Least Sandpipers and a female Wilson's Phalarope.